'Changed my whole mindset' - Moeen Ali explains how MS Dhoni's IPL lessons at CSK guided Falcons to CPL 2026 title

Antigua and Barbuda Falcons won the CPL 2026 title on September 20, 2026, defeating Jamaica Kingsmen by 8 wickets in the final at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. It was the Falcons' maiden championship, achieved in only their third season in the competition.

Moeen Ali captained the Falcons throughout the tournament and attributed a significant part of his leadership approach to lessons absorbed during his time with Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. Moeen played for CSK from 2021 to 2024, winning IPL titles in 2021 and 2023 under MS Dhoni.

In the final, the Falcons chased down Kingsmen's 170 for 9, reaching 173 for 2 in 16.4 overs with 20 balls to spare. Amir Jangoo scored 57 not out and Hasan Nawaz contributed 47 not out to seal the win. Sufyan Moqim had earlier taken 4 for 14 to restrict the Kingsmen, earning the Player of the Match award. Maaz Sadaqat had scored 114 off 58 balls for Jamaica Kingsmen, but it proved insufficient. Shadab Khan won the Player of the Tournament award after finishing the competition with 132 runs and 11 wickets. Curtly Ambrose served as team mentor for the Falcons across the campaign.

What did Moeen Ali learn from MS Dhoni about T20 captaincy?

Moeen has been open about the influence Dhoni had on his thinking as a captain. During his four seasons at CSK, Moeen observed how Dhoni managed squad dynamics and kept a group of players aligned around a common goal. He has described those observations as directly shaping the way he led the Falcons in CPL 2026.

"I learnt a lot from MS about the importance of having lesser good players but getting everyone on the same page. CSK had a great blend of more experienced players and less youngsters. There weren't so many meetings. MS Dhoni used to say batting meetings should be done in practice. The other thing I learnt from him is you have six bowlers generally in T20s, and it's not about whom to bowl; it's about who not to bowl. That changed my whole mindset on captaincy," Moeen said on the Super Over Podcast.

How did the Falcons perform in the CPL 2026 final?

The CPL 2026 final was played on September 20, 2026 at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown. Jamaica Kingsmen posted 170 for 9, with Maaz Sadaqat's 114 off 58 balls forming the backbone of their innings. However, Sufyan Moqim's 4 for 14 ensured the Kingsmen could not push beyond that total.

The Falcons' chase was composed and efficient. Amir Jangoo's unbeaten 57 and Hasan Nawaz's unbeaten 47 guided the side home in 16.4 overs, with the team finishing on 173 for 2. The 8-wicket victory with 20 balls remaining confirmed the Falcons' first-ever CPL title in their third season. Shadab Khan's all-round contributions across the tournament, 132 runs and 11 wickets, earned him the Player of the Tournament award.